what should you do before writing your first draft?
come up with a story idea
create an outline
write the lead
write the conclusion
Before writing your first draft, it is a good idea to:
1. Come up with a story idea: Spend some time brainstorming and generating ideas for your story. This can involve researching, immersing yourself in the subject matter, and finding inspiration.
2. Create an outline: Constructing an outline helps you organize your thoughts and structure your writing. It acts as a roadmap for your story, outlining the main points, events, and structure of your draft.
3. Write the lead: The lead or introduction sets the tone for your piece and grabs the reader's attention. Start by writing a compelling opening that entices the reader to continue reading.
4. Write the conclusion: The conclusion wraps up your writing and provides closure to your story. However, writing the conclusion before the first draft can be tricky. It's usually better to save the conclusion-writing for the end, as your ideas and narrative may change during the drafting process.
It should be noted that the order of the tasks mentioned may vary depending on personal preference and writing style. Some writers may choose to write the lead and conclusion first to have a clear direction in mind, whereas others prefer to focus on the main body of the draft before crafting the beginning and end.
Before writing your first draft, there are several steps you should consider taking to make the writing process smoother. Here is a suggested order of things to do:
1. Come up with a story idea: Spend some time brainstorming and generating ideas for your writing piece. Think about your audience, purpose, and the message you want to convey.
2. Create an outline: Once you have a clear story idea, develop an outline that includes the main points and structure of your writing. This will help you organize your thoughts and provide guidance as you write.
3. Write the lead: Start your first draft by crafting a strong and engaging lead or introduction. This should grab the reader's attention and provide an overview of what the piece will be about.
4. Write the conclusion: Towards the end of your first draft, focus on writing a conclusion that will wrap up your thoughts and leave a lasting impression on the reader. It should summarize the main points and might include a call to action or a final thought.
By following these steps, you will have a solid foundation and roadmap to guide you when writing your first draft.
Before writing your first draft, it is important to take some preliminary steps to ensure a smoother writing process. Here are some suggested actions to take:
1. Come up with a story idea: Start by brainstorming and developing a compelling story concept. Think about the plot, characters, and themes you want to explore. Consider elements such as setting, conflict, and resolution.
2. Create an outline: Once you have a story idea, organize your thoughts by creating an outline. This step involves outlining the main plot points, character arcs, and any important scenes you want to include. An outline will serve as a road map for your writing and help maintain structure and continuity.
3. Write the lead: The lead, or introduction, is a crucial part of any written piece. It should grab the reader's attention and set the tone for the rest of your work. Take the time to craft an engaging lead that hooks the reader and introduces the main ideas or themes you will be exploring.
4. Write the conclusion: While it may seem counterintuitive to write the conclusion before the main body of the piece, having a clear idea of your intended conclusion can help guide your writing. By knowing where you want your piece to end, you can ensure that your ideas and arguments build towards a strong and coherent conclusion.
Remember that the order in which you complete these steps can vary depending on your personal preferences and writing style. Some writers prefer to develop their story idea and outline first, while others may start by working on the lead or conclusion. The important thing is to find a process that works best for you and allows for a well-crafted and cohesive first draft.